Infertility is a condition that is characterised by the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sex. While infertility impacts the body, it is also very stressful and can lead to mental health issues.
According to studies, infertility affects approximately 12% or 7.2 million people every year. The desire to have a baby is fundamental and hence the inability to do so has a long-lasting impact on the mind, which is often termed as infertility blues.
The first step of coping with infertility blues is by acknowledging the fact that feeling sad is completely normal. Secondly, consult your doctor and discuss how you feel about your current situation. Clarity on the future of your condition will help you in overcoming the stress and blues.
We reached out to Dr Kaberi Banerjee, IVF Specialist and Director of Advance Fertility and Gynaecology Centre, and asked her to share his expert inputs on dealing with infertility-related mental health issues. Read on to know all that she shared.
4 Tips To Help You Overcome Infertility Blues
Be well-prepared for social interactions
Often when you are stressed, you avoid demanding situations and anxiety may develop as you plan to participate in a social event. You would likely meet new parents, children, and would-be parents which can have an impact on your mind. In such situations, follow any one of the following approaches:
- Avoid attending gatherings where you are not comfortable with the guests.
- Interact selectively with the people you feel comfortable with and keep a distance from anyone who triggers your stress.
- Understand that infertility is a condition that can be cured and even if not, learn to make peace with it.
Spend time with your support system
Your family, friends, and partner are your strongest support systems, during a phase where few people may understand you. Hence, any time that you feel low or have stressful thoughts sit down with your near ones and discuss what bothers you. Remember talking to those who understand and care for you only relieves you from troubling thoughts. Staying around your support systems also helps you feel secure as they can help you escape an unwanted situation or question.
Acknowledge infertility as a shared problem
Infertility must be seen as a shared problem between the couple. It is not only the woman who undergoes stress but also her partner. You also need to normalise the expectations in the relationship when undergoing a stressful phase. This includes loss of sexual spontaneity which is likely to come once you undergo the treatment and are subject to such stressful situations. The key is to acknowledge that both of you have to get through this together without the fear of losing each other in the process.
Research and plan ahead
While your doctor is your guide through the process and treatment, it is good to conduct your research and discuss it with your doctor. One must know that research can also lead to several misconceptions and hence it is a good approach to discuss the findings of your research with your doctor or an expert on the subject.
With the above tips, you can overcome the fertility blues. Remember infertility is an aspect of life and there is a lot more to life than just that. Hence, moving on with a positive approach in life can help you overcome such stressful situations and ease the process of transformation.
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